Huntley police completing radio upgrade

The Huntley Police Department has reached the final stage of a comprehensive radio upgrade that once completed will not only comply with a federal mandate but also will allow police to communicate with firefighters and public works employees to better coordinate their efforts.

The last phase involves converting from the wide band police radio system to a narrow band, which allows additional channels on the system and helps make better use of the frequencies. This is necessary, as two-way radio technology has increased demand for new radio channels.

The police department also will establish a local channel that lets officers talk to firefighters and public works employees — right now, they are not able to communicate with each other on the radio. This channel will reduce existing dead spots and would become especially helpful during emergencies, Police Chief John Perkins said.

The process will require authorities to install new equipment, as well as reprogram a pair of radio towers, the tornado sirens now tied to a radio frequency and the department’s 106 radios. Everything should be completed by the end of September, Perkins said.

The Federal Communications Commission is monitoring compliance, which is due by 2013. Those that don’t upgrade by then could lose their communication capabilities.

“We’re getting a jump on it and trying to get it done this year so we’re ready to go,” Perkins said.

Huntley actually has been working on the upgrade for the last five years.

In 2006, the police department reserved $32,000 for new mobile radios in squad cars. Later on in 2008 and 2009, authorities spent a total of $60,000 for new, portable radios that officers wear on their hip. The final phase costs $56,000. All of the money came out of Huntley’s pocket.